This Historic Washington Hotel Is Haunted By A Very Specific Spirit
By Jessica Wick|Published October 19, 2021
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Jessica Wick
Author
Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
Washington certainly has its share of historic hotels. Between tales from The Davenport and places such as The Tokeland Hotel, it’s safe to say that every part of the state has a property or two with reported paranormal activity.
Seattle’s Hotel Sorrento is no exception. This century-old property has all kinds of paranormal activity. Some guests and employees have even spotted the ghost of Alice Toklas, inventor of the pot brownie. Fitting for a Washington ghost story, don’t you think?
The beautiful Hotel Sorrento is located on Madison Street in Seattle's First Hill neighborhood.
The hotel first opened in 1909, and it has been a beloved local treasure ever since.
The first guests of the hotel were the anxious prospectors, curious entrepreneurs, and random tourists who attended the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, which was basically the first time anyone outside the Northwest had ever heard of Seattle.
Alice lived with her family in Seattle for awhile. In fact, her family home was allegedly in the place where the hotel now stands. Alice was the longtime romantic partner of American novelist and poet Gertrude Stein. After Gertrude died, Alice published a cook book, which included a recipe for "special" fudge or brownies.
Alice has been spotted on the fourth floor of the hotel numerous times, and she seems especially fond of Room 408.
She has also been seen in the outdoor garden, and she has been known to move guests' drinking glasses all over the hotel when they aren't looking. Alice studied piano at the University of Washington, and some guests have heard the piano on the 7th floor playing when no one is around.
Of course, until Alice's spirit walks up to us and offers us a brownie, we will never know if these tales are true.
